Government has broken ground for the construction of the Lingadzi Bridge and an 800-metre access road linking Msokera-Cherub in Area 47 to the Presidential Highway, in a K7.5 billion project aimed at improving road access and easing traffic congestion in Lilongwe.
The project is being funded through the K15 billion allocation provided to Lilongwe City Council by the Roads Fund Administration (RFA) for major urban transformation projects in the 2026/2027 financial year.
The bridge is expected to provide a more reliable crossing over the Lingadzi River while improving access for residents of Areas 49, 18 and 47, as well as businesses in surrounding communities.
The Malawi Defence Force (MDF) Engineers Construction Company Limited will undertake the construction, which is expected to be completed within 12 months.
Speaking during the groundbreaking ceremony, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development Dr Ben Malunga Phiri said the project would address longstanding transport challenges, particularly during peak hours.
Phiri said the government was committed to modernising Lilongwe and improving people’s living standards through infrastructure development.
He expressed confidence that the MDF engineers would maintain high construction standards and complete the project within the stipulated timeframe, while urging surrounding communities to support the construction process.
In his remarks, MDF Chief of Defence Force General George Jaffu said the military had a constitutional responsibility to contribute to national development, describing the project as a practical demonstration of that commitment.
“The Malawi Defence Force is not an institution apart from the people. We are part of the people. The challenge faced by residents of Lilongwe; poor road access, dust, insecurity and difficulty in accessing social services affects our own families and our own operations,” he said.
Jaffu said that, under a memorandum of understanding signed with Lilongwe City Council, the MDF Corps of Engineers would provide technical expertise in road construction and supervision, engineering equipment and manpower, as well as ensure discipline, timely execution, quality and value for money.
The project is expected to improve connectivity between the surrounding residential areas and the Presidential Highway, making movement easier for residents and businesses.
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